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Su Casa de Esperanza

Located in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, Su Casa de Esperanza was originally founded in 1981 as a service of the Presbyterian Children’s Health Service Agency. Ten years later, in 1991, Su Casa de Esperanza was restructured as an independent 501c(3) agency, with its own Board of Directors. Su Casa serves families in the colonias near Las Milpas and Progreso.

Cielo Strategy Group first met Su Casa de Esperanza through the Knapp Community Care Foundation’s (KCCF) nonprofit capacity building program. KCCF contracted with Cielo Strategy Group for our team to deliver a full organizational assessment for Su Casa de Esperanza. The three month assessment process identified areas of strength and improvement through listening, learning, and data collection by our team. It included recommendations for becoming a stronger organization. KCCF used the organizational assessment to guide their investment in Su Casa de Esperanza’s long-term growth and sustainability.

With that grant funding, the Cielo Strategy team then worked hand-in-hand with Su Casa de Esperanza to execute on the agreed upon recommendations. Our focus with Su Casa de Esperanza during our year-long partnership included:

  • Gathering impact stories and helping Su Casa better share their stories through social media
  • Project managing a logo redesign
  • Designing and launching a new website
  • Setting up an online donation system
  • Developing an annual fundraising program and calendar to include a year-end appeal
  • Working with their Board of Directors to develop a committee structure that fit the needs of the organization

The pandemic began in 2020 just as we began our work. Our focus and scope changed slightly to assist the Su Casa team where they needed the most help at that moment. This included external and crisis communications, coaching and guidance in executing revised programs, services, and events. Despite the toll the pandemic had on Su Casa de Esperanza’s program delivery model and the disruption in service, Su Casa managed to double their annual operating budget year over year as a result of our intentional effort to engage individual donors, corporations, and foundations to support their efforts.

Our capacity building work wrapped up, but we remained in close contact with Su Casa de Esperanza. In 2022, we managed their search and hiring process for their next Executive Director and we continue to facilitate their annual board planning sessions.

We continue to be inspired by the work of Su Casa de Esperanza!

Back to Our Clients

  • We chose Cielo because of their extensive expertise and deep understanding of our donor base, and they delivered on every level. From the beginning, they took the time to listen to our unique needs and challenges, ensuring their recommendations were tailored to our organization’s goals and values. With their guidance, we refined our messaging and developed a clear and inspiring vision for the future. They were instrumental in helping us craft a strategic plan with actionable next steps that will drive meaningful progress. The Cielo team exemplifies professionalism, combining their vast knowledge with a personal, empathetic approach that made us feel genuinely supported at every step. We highly recommend them to any organization seeking a partner who listens, understands, and delivers exceptional results.

    HEATHER MCFARLAND, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    Alamo Heights School Foundation

  • The Cielo Strategy Group team brings a passion for strengthening nonprofits to their work, and it is evident in their every detail – from their outstanding customer service, to their impeccable follow-through, to the way they engage with residents, board and staff – I just can’t say enough good things. They are professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely dedicated to creating a sustainable organization. I am forever grateful to them.

    SANDRA WHITLEY, FOUNDER/FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    Thrive Youth Center

  • The Bay City ISD School Board and staff could not have been more enthusiastic about the marketing plan that Cielo Strategy Group developed for us. We are extremely excited to see what we can do with the tools you've given us. Thank you so much for making my job easier."

    GRANT MCGALLIARD, CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
    Bay City ISD

  • The Cielo team has been a trusted partner strengthening our organization from the inside out. After facilitating our initial organizational assessment process, they identified key areas we needed to focus on that would move our mission forward. They didn’t just give us a report with recommendations, they jumped in and created the infrastructure we needed to help us operate more effectively – from basic Board governance documents and processes to a staff and volunteer handbook, to operational planning and goal-setting. They have coached me to become a better leader. As we celebrated our ten-year anniversary, we accepted a transformational gift to purchase our own land and build upon our vision. We could not have done this without “getting our house in order”, which is what Cielo Strategy Group did for us.

    DEBRA FRANCO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    South Texas Juvenile Diabetes Association

  • The Cielo team has been instrumental in helping the Weslaco Museum rebuild for the future. As a new Executive Director, I am thankful for their unwavering commitment. They provided our organization with the proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel” – enabling us to focus on our vision and mission. They have helped the Weslaco Museum grow our member base, streamline our website, strengthen our board, and our overall vision for the future.

    CRYSTAL RODRIGUEZ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    Weslaco Museum

  • Cielo Strategy Group is part of our Clinic family. With our long-standing partnership, I have relied on their team as a steady support system – responding to our needs and flexing with us. They have elevated our storytelling and communications, guided us through annual fund development plans, designed and project-managed annual appeal mailings, coached us through grant proposals, facilitated Board sessions and a strategic planning process. They push us toward excellence and don’t settle for less.

    GLORIA Z. CANSECO, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
    San Antonio Christian Dental Clinic
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